jackplates

[Carl]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the site, (thanks to macojoe) I recently came into a 1978 steplift v-20. It needs new power. The engine on it is blown. Due to the shape of the transom the boat requires an engine with a 20" shaft length, vs 25" for most marine outboards. My question today is -- does anyone have any experience / opinions on using a jackplate and an engine with a 25 " shaft for this boat?

Thanks

Carl

Hey Carl,

A jackplate would work for that purpose. You might find that most manual jackplates wont move the prop far enough up in your case to be effective. Some jackplates will travel 7 or more inches. But those are hydraulic and can be very pricey($1000 and up). Besides, a jackplate is just another accessory that can fail when you need it most. Keep it simple.

Save yourself time and money and find a short shaft engine.

Or build up the transom. There are many here who have been down that road.

Just my $.02

C.

Welcome Carl, I agree wit CBE.

Before you buy a motor, THOROUGHLY check out that transom for rot.

If you need to repair the transom, then you would be much better off using that jack plate money to restore the transom to take a 25 inch shaft while your at it ( of course MJ WOULD TELL YOU TO MAKE IT A FULL TRANSOM AND HANg YOUR 25 INCH SHAFT ON A BRACKET ;D, BUT THAT WOULD COST MORE).

If the transom is sound, you might be able to get away with a 20 inch shaft - depending on how and where you will use your V20.

[macojoe]

well I am glad you made it here!

As far as a jack plate if you get one, and set it so the cavition plate is even with the bottom it should be alright.
But that said you better make sure that the transom is in good shape!!

I don't no what size motor you are going to use? (150or so) But they weight in about 350 to 400 pounds!

And then add the motor to the jack plate that will be alot of levrage to the transom.

Might be better to sell the motor you have (if you have one) and get a 20" shaft??

[Carl]

Thanks guys,

I kinda was thinking along those same lines about actually increasing the load on the transom since the engine is not directly hung on the transom but a distance from it. I wanted to make sure I wasn't over analyzing the problem. I will continue to look for a 20" shaft. I am looking for a 150 preferably a mercury since those are the controls on the boat. The engine that is on the boat is a mercury 150 (1986) has a blown power head and the lower unit has been hanging on the boat for two years not covered. I don't have a lot of faith in the lower unit either.


Carl

[macojoe]

well do you no any history on the motor?? The lower unit can hang there for 20 years, nothing is going to happen to it!
Drain the oil and look at it, try turning it see if it is free? Might be able to sell it to help with some money for another motor??
A good lower unit with a little paint can get you upward $500, worth a shot.

Also, were are you7 located?? I forgot

[Carl]

All I know is that the guy's grandson was using the boat and didn't add the two stroke oil, which made short work of the power head. The old man kept the boat for use by his family. He bought the boat used, but it was fairly new. The boat is a '78. He repowered it in 1986 with the motor that is currently on the boat. The transom was professionally rebuilt in 1987. It was rebuilt as original with the notch since he had a 1year old motor with a 20" shaft.

That's the story as I know it.

MJ - I live in SE Connecticut - near the RI border.


Carl